This Distance Learning course is accredited by the Skills and Education Group (SEG).

The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Paramedic Science is a Level 3 qualification designed to equip you with the credentials needed to progress to university-level study in Paramedic Science. Equivalent to three A-Levels, it is tailored for individuals who left school without the necessary qualifications or those returning to education after an extended break.

Throughout the course, you will develop essential academic skills, including note-taking, essay writing, research techniques, time management, exam preparation, and oral presentation delivery, ensuring you are well-prepared for university-level study.

The program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills essential for success in Paramedic Science. It focuses on key areas such as human biology, life-saving emergency care, and the practices of healthcare professionals. You will develop crucial competencies in empathetic communication, learning how to provide compassionate support to patients during their most vulnerable moments. Emphasis is also placed on the importance of teamwork, ensuring you are well-prepared to work collaboratively in high-pressure environments to deliver the best possible care.

By the end of the course, you will have a clear understanding of the areas of Paramedic Science that interest you most, enabling you to make an informed decision about your future degree and career path.

This Access to HE Diploma can be started at any point throughout the year, and takes approximately 9-12 months to complete; this means it does not necessarily follow the standard academic year. If you start the course later than September, it is unlikely you will meet the January UCAS deadline to start at university that September.

You will need:

• GCSE grade 4 or above for both English and maths
  or
• A relevant Level 2 qualification and Functional Skills in English and maths at Level 2*

You will also have an online assessment and interview with our course tutors before completing your enrolment, so we can ensure the course is right for you.

*Some universities do not accept Functional Skills and require GCSEs - please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply.

The assessment process for this course is ongoing and designed to evaluate your progress throughout the year. It includes a combination of:

• Assignments
• Tests
• Exams

Each unit of the course is modular, promoting manageable, bite-sized learning. Every unit consists of smaller components called Assessment Criteria. At the end of each unit, you will complete an assignment, which is reviewed by your personal tutor. Your tutor will provide constructive feedback, highlighting strengths and offering guidance on areas for improvement to help you surpass your expectations.

All assessments are designed by your tutors and externally moderated by SEGA to maintain quality and fairness.

After completing your Access to HE course, you will be able to:

• Apply for a paramedic science-related degree at university*
• Progress directly into employment in the NHS or other health-related organisations

*Please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply, as these can vary between institutions, even for similar courses.

Topics you will study include:

Academic Writing Skills:
- Be able to structure a written response
- Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
- Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
- Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Reading and Note Making:
- Understand a range of reading strategies
- Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
- Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Healthcare Communication:
- Understand the main methods of communication
- Understand the barriers to communication
- Understand the value of developing good communication skills within the context of the health service
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping

The Structure and Function of Cells:
- Understand cellular structure and organisation
- Underland cellular activity
- Understand the cell cycle

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Settings:
- Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI in healthcare
- Understand how EDI issues are managed in healthcare settings

Human Musculoskeletal System:
- Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
- Know how muscles contract
- Understand the development of bone

Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams:
- Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
- Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
- Understand the multidisciplinary team working in a chosen health care

Human Growth and Development:
- Understand the key stages of human lifespan
- Understand the developments occurring during pregnancy
- Understand development that occurs during childhood
- Understand the major changes occurring during puberty and adolescence
- Understand health conditions occurring during adulthood
- Understand the major changes occurring during ageing which may affect these changes

Endocrine System:
- Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
- Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
- Understand the action of hormones

Mental Health:
- Understand how society determines and responds to a range of behaviours experienced by individuals suffering from mental ill health
- Understand the influence of biological, social and environmental factors in relation to mental health
- Understand and evaluate different strategies for therapy and care of mental health disorders

Infection and Immunity:
- Understand the contributions of Snow, Semmelweiss, Pasteur, Jenner and Koch to the understanding of infectious disease
- Understand how the human body responds to infection
- Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
- Understand how infections can be prevented by vaccination
- Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics

Respiratory Emergencies:
- Understand the respiratory system
- Understand respiratory illnesses
- Understand the impact of trauma and obstruction to the respiratory system

The Cause and Control of Disease:
- Understand categories and causes of human disease
- Understand the epidemiology of a named disease
- Understand measures for disease prevention

Cardiovascular Emergencies:
- Understand the cardiovascular system
- Understand cardiovascular disease
- Understand cardiovascular trauma
- Understand how a patient experiencing cardiac irregularities is assessed by paramedics

Managing Challenging Behaviour:
- Understand the impact of mental health on behaviour
- Understand how drugs and alcohol can impact on behaviour
- Understand how to manage challenging behaviour

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.